BOX SCORE

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla - The Nova Southeastern women’s soccer team (1-0) defeated No. 19 West Florida (1-1), 2-1, to begin the 2011 season. Briana Hanly (So., Bethpage, N.Y.) scored the game-winning goal, her first collegiate career goal, off of an assist by Shanoska Young (Sr., Kingston, Jamaica) at the 81:41 mark.

Dilja Olafsdottir (So., Reykjavik, Iceland) scored the first goal for the Sharks with a header, clinching the first goal of her collegiate career. Shadia Blair (Fr., Springfield, Mass.) headed the ball to her following a corner kick by Andi Burchfield (Fr., Greenville, S.C.). The header squeezed by the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Lauren Byrd, 34:07 into the game.

“They’ve been down in preseason games before and comeback the same way, it laid a good foundation for them,” said Sharks head coach Mike Goodrich. “After the West Florida goal they seemed a little frazzled but we took our time and were patient. It was a good learning experience, if we go down again, which we will, they’ll stay calm and stick to our game plan.”

The Sharks went into halftime with the score knotted at 1-1 and Goodrich could feel the relief from his young team featuring 19 underclassmen.

“To draw even they knew the game starts over,” said Goodrich. “The players had nerves and were a little skittish to start but we knew if we held-out, our conditioning would give us a chance in the final 15 minutes.”

Goodrich’s assessment of his team held true as they battled through south Florida heat, a top-20 ranked opponent, and nerves to score the game winning goal with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Ali Ryan (0-1) allowed the game winning goal as she was substituted into the game at halftime. Ryan was credited with the loss after allowing one goal and making three saves in 45 minutes of play. Byrd started the game for West Florida, made four saves and allowed one goal in 45 minutes.

Monica Malavasi assisted Jordan Stone on the goal for West Florida after a free kick from just outside the front of the box.

Chrissy Hy (Sr., Endicott, N.Y.) (1-0) was credited with the win for the Sharks, she logged 90:00 in goal, made four saves and allowed one goal.

Prior to the win the Sharks were 0-3 all-time against West Florida, losing in 2003, 2009 and 2010. The Sharks also put an end to West Florida’s true road game winning streak spanning 30 games which dated back to Sept. 1, 2007. Over that span, the Argonauts had three losses and two ties away from home, but they were all in neutral sites games.

Shots were almost even during the contest as West Florida took 12 shots and the Sharks took 13. Both teams were also equally physical, West Florida committed nine fouls and the Sharks committed seven. 

Next, the Sharks play two matches in Milledgeville, Ga against Tusculum on Sept. 9 and Wingate on Sept.11.

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